Weft-replenishing mechanism for looms of more than one shuttle



May 3 1927.

E. A. BLACKSTON F-LENISHING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS OF MORE THAN ONE SHUTTLE WEFT RE 5 She ets-Sheet' 1 Filed 061;. 13, 1924 f w fl db w v 5 Q! R May 1927' E. A. BLACKSTON WEF'T REPLENISHING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS OF MORE THAN ONE SHUTTLE 5 Shets-Sheei 2 Filed Oct. 13, 1924 M w 9 a 7 g 5 3 a 54 n, 4: 65

May 3, 1927. 1,627,310

E. A. BLACKSTON WEF-T REPLENISHING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS OF MORE THAN ONE SHUTTLE Filed Oct. 15, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 E. A. BLACKSTON WEF'I REFLENISHING MECHANISM FOR .LOOMS 0F MORE THAN ONE SHUTTLE May 3 1927.

Filed Oct. 13,

1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 May '3, 1927.

E. A. BLACKSTON WEFT REFLENIS HING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS 0F MORE THAN ONE SHUTTLE 7 Filed Oct. 15, 1924 5. Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 3, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,627,310 PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD ARGEL BLACKSTON, or RALEIGH/NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR r0 novicnoenns GILBERT, or RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA.

wnr'r-nnrnnmsnme MECHANISM Fons LOOM'SOF MORE THAN our:- SHUTTLE.

Application -filed0ctober 13, 1924. Serial No. 743,339.

My invention relates more particularlyto automatic filling-replenishing looms of the type wherein a series of shifting shuttleboxes are located on the lay at the end opposite to which the filling replenishment is effected, each box containing ashuttlehaving filling different from that in the other shuttles. a I

The object of my invention is to provide a means whereby a filling-feeder containing filling of different colors and rotating, atintervals, always in the same direction, will automatically su-pply fresh filling of the desired color at the proper pick to one of the multiple shuttles when the filling in one of the shuttles is practically exhausted. It has already been proposed to constructa circularly-movable fillingefeeder to move positively and in unison with each change of position of the shuttle-boxes. In my invention the circular filling-feeder does not move in unison with the shuttle boxes but does move whenever the filling in the acting shuttle becomes almost exhausted. It has already been proposed to construct a. circular-fillingfeeder which carries a series of bobbins around its circumference and oscillates back and forth about its axis. In my improvements I provide a circular filling-feeder which does not oscillate but moves at the proper time always in the same direction of rotation. It has al- I ready been proposed to construct a circular filling-feeder to be turned by means of a spring. In my inventionI provide a fillingfeeder which is not moved by spring.

My invention relates to looms, and particularly to automatic weft-replenishing looms of the class shown and described in United States Letters Patent No. 912,435, of Feb.

16, 1909, in which a magazine or reservoir is I provided containing a series of filling-carriers or bobbins which are automatically supplied to the shuttles upon the practical exhaustion of the filling therein in the usual and well-known way.

The object of my invention is to improve upon the construction and operation of the automatic weft-replenishing mechanisms ordinarily used in the class of looms referred to.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the present embodimentof my invention I have shown and described a loom employing a drop-box for four shuttles,.however it is evident that a drop-box for any desired number of shuttles may be used with my invention. v

In the class of looms referred-to it is desirable that the change of' filling shallt'ake place on the same pick or beat of the lay inwhich the practical exhaustion of filling. is detected because otherwise it is necessary to suspend the action of the transferrer. Knowing this I have devised means, by placing the feeler or detecting mechanism on the shifting-box end of the lay in order to do away with the mechanism necessary to .suspendithe action of the filling-changing mechanism.

. In my improvements by placing the feeler or detecting mechanism on the end of the lay opposite to which it has always been placed in shifting-box looms, should the acting shuttle become practically exhausted when it is in its shiftingrbox the feeler will set the transferrer into position to transfer and on the next pick the practically exhausted bobbin will travel to the stationary-box end and while at this end the acting shuttle receives a new supply of'filling. In this way no picks are lost. v p

In order tov have the feeler or detecting mechanism cause the transferrer to be set into position when the acting shuttle is at the shifting-box end of the lay, I have cut a slot in the shuttle-binders of the shifting shuttle-boxes, said slot to receive the end of the feeler and I have increased the diameter of the gear-wheel on the end of the camshaft, which gear-wheel causes the shuttle boxes to shift so that the time for the shifting of the shuttle-boxes has been shortened. V

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation having the central portion broken out,

showing a sufficient portion of a loom embodying my improvements to enable my invention to be understood; Fig. 2 is a pictorial sketch drawn to a larger scale showing more in detail the mechanism which assist in operating my new and improved circular filling-feeder; Fig. 3 is an end elevation, as viewed from the end ofthe loom on which the shifting-boxes are located; Fig. 4 is an elevation as viewed from thee'nd of the loom onwhich thecir'cular battery and filling-feeder are located; Fig; 5 is an end elevation drawn to a larger scale, of my circular battery and filling-feeder, illustrating the arrangement of the battery doors Fig. 6 is a section, drawn to a larger scale, through the center of the battery, said section being taken perpendicular to the axis of the battery; Fig. 7 is a side View of the battery and filling-feeder, the top half being shown in section in a plane through the center and'parallel to the axis of the battery, showing the various parts of the battery and filling-feeder; Fig. 8 is a pictorial sketch, drawn to a larger scale, showing the method of attaching the moving fingers to the rotating ends of the filling-feeder; Fig. 9 is a side view of the ratchet wheel by which a part of the filling-feeder is rotated; Fig. 10 is a pictorial sketch showing the cradles or buckets together with the mechanism for operating and guiding same; Fig. 11 is a pictorial sketch, drawn to a larger scale, showing one of the buckets. Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to Fig. 1, the lay 1 has mounted thereon at one end shifting shuttle-boxes 2, each adapted to contain a shuttle of the automatically self-threading type, the shut tle-boxes 2 being mounted on a lifting rod 3 or box-staif-rod of the usual and well known construction. As shown there are four shuttle-boxes, but it will be understood that the number of boxes may be changed as desired. Slots 98 are cut into the shuttlebinders 99 of the shifting-shuttle-boxes to allow the end of the feeler to enter. The

' box-staff-rod 3 may be moved up and down by any of the usual and well known methods now in use.

A bell-crank 4 is on pin 5. One end of the bell-crank 4 is fastened to the box-staffrod 3 by a pin joint so that when the boxstaif-rod 3 moves up or down the bell-crank ,4 will oscillate'around pin 5. The other end of the bell-crank 4 is attached by a pin joint to link 6. When the shuttle-boxes 2 shift,

link 6 reciprocates. The other end of link 6 is attached loosely to arm 7 so that when link 6 moves back and forth arm 7 will oscillate in a horizontal plane. Arm 7 is fastened rigidly to the vertical shaft 8 so that when arm 7 oscillates the vertical shaft 8 will oscillate with it. .Therefore when the shuttle-boxes 2 shift the vertical shaft 8 will turn one way or the other. It is to be understood that the vertical shaft 8 may be provided with the necessary bearings and that these bearings may be placed at any convenient place. The accompanying drawings do not show these bearings because they may be placed at any one of several different places and because their location and numher is not necessarily definitely fixed.

Rigidly fastened to the top end of the vertical shaft 8 is an arm 9. WVhen the vertical shaft 8 oscillates back and forth the arm 9 oscillates in a horizontal plane. One end of arm 9 is connected to arm 10 by pin 11. Both arm 9 and arm 10 are free to move about pin 11 so that when arm 9 moves it imparts an oscillatory motion to arm 10.

The other end of arm 10 is attached loosely to a vertical rod 12. Arm 10 is free to move about the vertical rod 12. This vertical rod 12 isfastened rigidly to the block 13. It is now evident that when the shuttle-boxes 2 shift up or down the block 13'will reciprocate backward or forward transversely.

Rigidly fastened to the vertical shaft 8 is an arm 82, see Fig. 4.- and Fig. 10. When the vertical shaft 8 oscillates back and forth, the arm 82 oscillates in a horizontal plane. One end of arm 82 is connected loosely to arm 83 by pin 84, see Fig. 10. Both arm 82 and arm 83 are free to move about pin 84 so that when arm 82 moves it imparts an oscillating and reciprocating motion to arm 83. The other end of arm '83 is attached. loosely to pin 85. Arm 83 is free to move about pin 85, which pin is attached rigidly to the bucket-block 86. The bucket-block 8 6 is supported by the guides 87. These guides 87 constrain the bucket-block to move in a horizontal straight line. The movement of arm 83 causes the bucket-block 86 to reciprocate.

The guides 87 may be attached to any conas it is constrained to move longitudinally in a horizontal straight line.

Attached rigidly to bucket-block 86 are four buckets 88. When the bucket-block 86 reciprocates the buckets 88 will reciprocate. The number of buckets 88 is the same as the number of shuttles 2, and as shown in the accompanying drawings there are four buckets. In a weft-replenishing loom having two shuttle-boxes 2,'the number of buckets 88 would be two. Each bucket 88 is provided with a hinged bottom 89, see Fig. 11, which extends beyond the end of its corresponding bucket. These liinged-bottoms 89 extend underneath and beyond the bucketblock 86 and do not touch said bucket-block. Springs 90 are attached to the extending end of the hinged-bottoms 89, each hinged-bottom 89 having a spring 90 attached thereto, which springs 90 normally hold the hingeddoo rs 89 in a horizontal position. These springs 90 may be attached to the bucketblock 86.

The dumping lever 91, see Fig. 10, is piv- V thereby pushes downone or theother of the hinged-doors :89. Pin 92 is rigidly attached toany convenient stationary place and consequently saidpin 92doesnot move. The lifting-fin-ger 93-is attached loosely by a pinjoint to arm 94. The'lifting-finger 93 is free to oscillate and is held normally in line with dumping-lever 91 by the spring'95 which isattached rigidly to arm 94. Arm 94 is attached rigidly to link 43 so that when link 43 reciprocates up and down,-arm 94 will reciprocate up anddown. The stationary cam 96 is supported by any convenient stationary part and is 'so'located as to be always in contact with the lifting-finger 93 sothat when said li'fting-finger'risesdt will move out from under the dumpingdever 91 while it simultaneously raisessaid dumpinglever 91 enoughto lower the hinged-door 89 to allow a filling-carrier or bobbin to drop out of one or the other of the buckets .88. VVhenthe link 43 moves down, after ward travel of one end of'the dumpinglever 91 so that the dumping-lever 91- will not interfere with the reciprocating motion of the hinged-doors 89 and sothat it will not interfere with thelifting-finger 93 when said lifting-finger is assuming its normal position in line with the dumping-lever 91.

Now it can be seen th at when the shuttleboxes 2 shift up or down, shaft 8 oscillates thereby causing the buckets-88 to reciprocate back and forth. Each shuttle-box 2 has its corresponding-bucket 88. The buckets 88 move in unison with the shuttle-boxes 2. The buckets "88 areso-l'ocatedithat for each successive position which the shuttleboxes 2 assume there will be one or the other of the buckets 88 in linewith the opening in the bottom part of the circular battery and in line with the-saddles 36 and 37.

The 1ink43 is caused to reciprocate up and down by the action of the feeler 60, The mechanism causing link 43 to move in con unctlon with the feeler 60 will be described in detail later. VVhen'the filling on the actingshuttle becomes practically exhausted the feeler 60 acts and thereby causes the link 43 to rise and thereby lowers one or the other of the hinged-doors 89 thereby dumping a bobbin containing the desired kind of filling from one or the other of the buckets '88 into the saddles 36 and 37.

The motion of block 13 iscaused by the movement of the shuttle-boxes 2 and the motion of block 13.is directed or guided by the cage'14so that the block 13 is constrained to "reciprocate in horizontal straight line.

rigidly to its corresponding shaft.

N 'ow it is evident that the vertical reciprocating motion of the shuttle-boxes 2 causes a horizontal reciprocating vmotion of the block 13. The-cage 14 may be constructed and supported inany desirable way so long as it constrains the block 13 to move in theaabove mentioned manner. The accompanying drawings show the cage 14 supported by the breast-beamof the loom. It may be supported at any convenient place or places. I I desire it tobe understood that my invention is not limited as to the details of construction shown-in the accompanying drawings. The block 13 has a lug 15 on its bottom.

i The rat-chet-wl1eels17, 18,19 and 20, see Fig. 7, are respectively fastened rigidly to the concentric shafts 21, 22, 23 and 24. .The slot 16 in -lug15 onblock 13 is wide enough to allow one of the ratchet-wheels 17, 18, 19 or 20 to turn when slot 16 is in line with oneof said ratchet-wheels. In the position shown byFig. 1, ratchet-wheel 17 is free to turn and thereby turn shaft 21, furthermore in the position shown lug 15 prevents ratchet-wheels 18, 19 and 20 from turning, see Fig.3. It'is evidentfromFig. 3 that the lug 15 prevents the ratchet-wheels which are not in line with the slot 16 from turning in either direction. Therefore block 13 acts as a selective lock. r The position of slot 16 depends upon .matically moved so that slot 16 comes in 'llIlG with the ratchet-wheel 18. Whenever the next or third shuttle-box is raised to the operating position slot 16 moves into 'liine'with ratchet-wheel 19 and whenever the bottom or fourth shuttle-box is raised to the operating position, slot 16 is in line with ratchet-wheel 20. The ratchet-wheels 17, 18,

19 and 20 are so assembled that when they are at rest their teeth are always :in line and the lug 15 is free to reciprocate.

Referring to Fig. 7, one end of shaft 21 is flanged into a cup-shaped flange 25. Shaft 22 has its flange 26. Shaft-s 23 and 24 have.

respectively,.the flanges 27 and 28'. The dectail of-construction ofthe. above mentioned shafts and flanges isnot limited by my invention since each flange and its correspond ing shaft may be made of one plece or each flange may be made separate and fastened When ratchet-wheel 17 turns,flange 25 turns, when ratchet-wheel 18 turns flange 26 turns, when ratchet-wheel19 turns flange 27 turns and when ratchet-wheel 20 turns flange 28 turns.

This lug 15hasa slot 16 cut into 7 which one .of the four shuttle-boxes is in position tosupply its respective shuttle. In the position shown in F ig.. 1' the. top or first shuttle-box is in the operating position Fingers 29 are attached to each of the flanges 25, 26,27 and 28, being attached at regular intervals. Fig. 8 shows one method by which the fingers 29 may be attached to their correspondingflanges. The accompanyingdrawings show each flange carrying nine fingers, however this number may be more or less and for this reason my invention is not limited as to the number of reserve bobbins of filling which may be carried in the circular filling-feeder and battery.

The circular dividing-walls 30 are attached to each other and to the cover 31 by means of the through bolts 32 and 33. The cover 31 is attached to the stationary flange 3 1. Stationary flange 3 1 is connected to the bearing 35, see Fig. 1, and is thereby held stationary. Bearing 35, as shown in the accompanying drawings is located on the shaft 21 between ratchet-wheel 17 and the stationary flange 34. Bearing is supported by the frame of the loom'and acts as a support for the circular filling-feeder. It is to be understood that the shaft 21 may be supported at any one or more convenient place or places by one or more bearings. Shaft 21 acts as a bearing for shaft 22 which in turn acts as a bearing for shaft 23 which in turn acts as a bearing for shaft 24, see Fig. 7

The filling-feeder stands normally at rest during the weaving of the cloth and consequently only moves when the proper time arrives to place a bobbin containing the desired kind of filling in one of the buckets 88. This normally stationary condition of the filling-feeder enables the weaver to load said filling-feeder while the loom is weaving. The filling-feeder shown in the accompanying drawings may contain eight filled bobbins of each of four different colors, making a total of thirty-two reserve bobbins full of filling of certain various colors. It is evident that the circular battery and filling-feder may be so constructed that the number may be more or less than eight of each of four different colors. I desire it to be understood that my invention is not limited to four difierent colors nor is it limited as to the number of reserve full bobbins for each color.

Suppose that eight bobbins containing red filling are placed in the eight spaces between the cover 31 and the circular dividing-wall 30. These eight spaces are formed by the fingers 29 which are attached to flange 25. There are nine spaces shown, see Fig. 6. The bottom space will not retain a bobbin because cover 31 has an opening in the bottom in order to allow the filling to drop through and rest in the buckets 88. Each one of the circular dividing-walls 30 has an opening in its lower side to allow the filling to drop through into the buckets 88. Now suppose that the eight spaces between fingers 29 which are attached to flange.

26 contain eight bobbins, one bobbin in each space, full of white filling. Suppose that the eight spaces between fingers 29 which are attached to flange 27 contain eight bobbins full of blue filling. Suppose that the eight spaces between the fingers 29 which are attached to flange 28 contain bobbins full of green filling. Suppose that bucket 88 farthest towards the right, see Fig. 6. contains a bobbin filled with red filling and that the next bucket 88 contains white filling and that the next bucket 88 contains blue filling and that the next or farthest to the left bucket 88 contains green .filling.

In the position shown by the accompanying drawings the shuttle 74 containing red filling is weaving and ratchet-Wheel 17 is free to turn, thereby turning flange 25. Therefore should the red filling on the shuttle weaving become practically exhaust ed the red filling in one of the buckets 88 will be caused by the action of the feeler to drop into the saddles 36 and 37. At the same time flange 25 is automatically turned, by the action of the feeler 60, so that a bobbin or red filling is moved into aosition and drops into the bucket 88 which vhas just become empty of red filling. On the next pick of the loom the transferring mechanism knocks the red filling from the saddles 36 and 37 into the acting shuttle. At the same time flanges 26, 27, and.28 are held stationary because the lug 15 prevents the ratchet-wheels 18,19 and 20 from turning. Therefore no white, blue or green filling can be placed in the buckets 88 while the shuttle containing red filling is operating. Should the shuttle-boxes 2 shift so that the shuttle containing blue filling becomes operative, lug 15 shifts so that ratchet-wheel 19 is free to turn, thereby allowing the fingers 29 on flange 27 to turn while ratchet-wheels 17, 18 and 20 are held stationary, and thereby only blue filling may be placed in one of the buckets 88 while the shuttle containing blue filling is operating. In like manner the white filling will be placed in one of the buckets when the shuttle containing white filling is operating. In like manner the green filling will be placed in one of the buckets at the desired time.

The dumping-lever 91 is so situated that it will dump Whichever bucket 88 that happens to be in line with the saddles 36 and 37, and will dump only that particular bucket. Therefore, if the shuttle containing red filling is weaving and the filling in said shuttle becomes practically exhausted, the action of the feeler 60 will cause red filling to be dumped into the saddles 36 and 37 and at the same time will cause parts of the fillingfeeder to rotate and drop red filling into the proper bucket 88. In like manner, if the shuttle containing green filling is weaving,

fastened to any convenient support.

8 green filling willbe dropped into the proper or bobbin from the filling-feeder directly into saddles 36 and 37.

The saddles 36 and may be constructed by any of the usual and well known ways.

The saddles are not a part of my invention. As shown in the accompanying drawings the saddles 36 and 37 are attached to the cover 31. The saddles 36 and 37 may be Arm 38 is attached rigidly to block 13 and this arm 38 is in, line with the slot 16 in lug 15 sothat when slot 16 shifts to a position directly over one of the ratchettwheels 17, 18, 19 or 20, arm 38 will be in line with the same ratchet-wheel. The guides 3 9,are attached rigidly to arm 38 so that when slot 16 is directly over one of the ratchet-wheels 17, 18, 19 or 20, the guides 39will be directly in line with the corresponding ratchetwheel. Each of the guides 39 have a hole cut in them. VVithinQthese holes and constrained by them slides up and down a pawl 40. Whenever this pawl 40 movesfup it automatically turns theratchet-wheel 17, 18, 19 or 20. It is evident that awl 40 turns the particular ratchet-wheel 1 18, 19 or 20 with which it happens to be in line, thereby causing one of the bobbins containing filling of a certain color to drop into one of the buckets 88.

Each one of the buckets 88 is automatically dumped just prior to the dropping of a filling-.carrierinto it'so that whenever the fingers 29 rotate and thereby cause a bobbin containing filling of the desired color to drop into one of said buckets, this respective bucket will be empty having just deposited a new supply of filling in the saddles 36 and 37 Roller 41 is connected by a pin joint to the bottom end of pawl 40. Roller 41 is free to turn about its supporting pin and reston and rolls along themovable track 42. The track 42 reciprocates up and down thereby moving pawl up and down, thereby turning one or the other of the ratchet-wheels 17, 18, 19 or 20 and thereby dropping one of the bobbins containing filling into one of the buckets 88. The movable track 42 is rigidly attached tothe'link 43 which reciprocates up and down thereby causing the track 42 to move up and down. Link 43 is constrained to, move in a vertical straight line by guide 44, see Fig. 3. Guide 44 is fastened rigidly to the breast beam of the loom. Guide 44 may be fastened and supported at any convenient place. The lower end of link 43 contains a horizontal slot within which slides a'pin .45. Pin 45 is fastened rigidly to the oscillating link 46 so that when link 46 oscillates it raises or lowers link 43 thereby rotating one or the other. of .the flanges 25, 26,27 or 28. Link a 46 is fastened rigidly to the'shaft47. This shaft 47 is shown, in the accompanying dnawings, supported by the bearings 48 and .49 which are attached to the loom-frame 50.

Arm 151 is fastened rigidly to. shaft 47 so that when arm 51 oscillates it turns shaft 47 thereby oscillating link 46 therebyraising or lowering track 42 and thereby rotating one of the flanges 25, 26, 27 or 28, which rotation causes a new'suppl'y of filling to drop into one of the buckets 88'. a v

Fig. 6 showsthat each one of the flanges 25, 26, 27 and 28 are divided into nine spaces by fingers 29 and the dividing walls 30. Fig. 9 shows that each of the ratchet wheels 17,, 1 8, 19 and '20 have nine teeth. My mechanism is so assembled that when arm 51 moves out from theloom, track 42 is raised a distance which will revolve one or the other of the flanges 25,26, 27 or 28 one ninth of aicong plete revolution, thereby dropping a bobbin into one of the buckets 88 and'leaving the fingers29-of all the four flanges 25,

26, 27 and 28 in nine radial lines every time one'of the ratchet-wheels 17, 18, 19 or 20 move. The ratchet-wheels 17, 18, 19 and 20 are so ,assembled that the teeth on one are always in line with the teeth on.the other three when at rest, therefore the fingers 29 on one of the flanges 25, 26, 27 or 28 are always in radial lines with the fingers 29 on the other three flanges when at rest.

Referring to Fig. 2, cam 52 is fastened rigidly to, the cam-.shaft .53.- The cam-follower .54 oscillates about pin 55. Pin 55 is shown supported by the loom-frame 50, see Fig. 1. It may be supported at any con venient place in. any, convenient manner. One-end of link 56 is attached loosely by a pin-joint to the catch 57. The other end of link 56 is attached loosely by a pin-joint to one, end of the bell-crank 58. Bellecr'ank 58 is pivoted at pin 59, see Fig. 2. The other end of-the bell-crank 58 is fastened to a part of the feeler 60. The spring 61 is attached to the bell-crank 58 and to any convenient stationary part of the loom .so that it will normally hold catch 57 out of linewith the cam-follower 54. When the feeler 6O acts to cause a transfer of filling it will cause the bell-crank 58 to move in a clockwise direction which movement will place catch 57 in line with the camsfollower 54 and thereby the oscillation of the cam-follower will cause the catch 57 to move forward.

types of weft-replenishing looms.

The feele'r 60 isnot a part of my invention 2 Vand therefore is not shown in detail by the Catch 57 is attached loosely by a pin-joint to the sliding-bar 62 which is in contact with the arm 51. Guide 63 is fastened rigidly to the breast-beam of the loom and constrains the sliding-bar 62 to move in a horizontal straight line.

The operation of the feeler 60 causes the arm 51 to turn the horizontal shaft 4.7 which raises the track42 and rotates one or the other of the flanges 25, 26, 27 or 28 thereby dropping a new supply of a certain color filling into one of the buckets 88. It is ev1- dent therefore that the filling-feeder operates only when the acting filling becomes practically exhausted. The operationof'the filling-feeder depends on the operation of the feeler. The parts of the filling-feeder rotate only when a new supply of filling is required to be placed'in one of the buckets 88. Furthermore it is evident that the lug 15 operates only when the shuttle-boxes 2 shift. The shifting of the shuttle-boxes 2 determines which color of filling is to be dropped into one of the buckets 88. Furthermore the bucket-block 86 and consequently the buckets 88 move transversely to the loom only when the shuttle-boxes 2 shift. The shifting of the shuttle-boxes 2 determines which bucket will be over the saddles 36 and 37 and determines which bucket will be dumped and determines which color of filling will be placed in the proper bucket 88.

Consequently the proper color of filling is always supplied at the proper time.

Referring to Fig. 4, arm 64: is fastened rigidly to the horizontal shaft 47 so that when the horizontal shaft 47 turns, arm 64: will raise. The other end of arm 64 supports rigidly the rectangular pin 65. The rectangular pin 65 supports the sliding-block 66 and allows said sliding-block to move back and forth. The spring 67 which is attached to the sliding-block 66 and to the arm 64, holds said sliding-block normally in the position, with respect to the arm 64, shown by Fig. 4. Then the feeler 60 operates the horizontal shaft 17 turns and thereby raises the sliding-block 66 to a position in line with the projection 68 on the lay 1 and with the bent-arm 69. The forward movement of the lay 1 then pushes'the slidingblock 66 forward thereby causing the bentarm 69 to move forward.

Fig. 4 shows the bent-arm 69 supported and guided by the bearing 70 which is fastened rigidly to the loom frame 50. This bent-arm 69 may be supported and guided by one or more bearings fastened rigidly at any convenient place or places.

Link 71 connects one end of the hammer 72 to the bent-arm 69 so that when the feeler 60 operates the hammer 72 will descend and knock the filling 7 3 out of the saddles 36 and 37 into the acting shuttle 74. The hammer 72 is held normally in its raisedposition by spring 75 which automatically holds the bent-arm in the position shown with respect to the bearing 70. Collar 76 is fastened rigidly to the bent-arm 69. Said collar 76 limits the backward travel of the bent-arm 69 so that the opening between projection 68 and said bent-arm is always wide enough to allow the sliding-block 66 to come in line with projections 68 and the bent-arm 69.

It has already been proposed to construct hammers, acting within the filling-feeder, for

latches-79. These latches 79 are fastened to and supported by the dividing-walls 30.

The doors 77 extend almost half-way around the battery. lVhen these doors 77 are open the operator may fill practically one-half of the battery spaces "with bobbins containing filling of the various colors. After the part of the battery covered by the doors 77 has been loaded with the desired colors of filling, the ratchet-wheels 17 18, 19 and'20 may be turned, by hand, thereby bringing the empty spaces in line with the doors 77 These remaining empty spaces may then be loaded.

The doors 77 are not wide enough to completely cover the spaces between the circular dividing-walls 30, therefore a circular slot 80 or opening is left between the doors 77 and the circular dividing-walls 30 to allow the ends of the filling to come through and be fastened to some stationary point. The number of doors for each circular space in the, stationary battery or magazine may be more or less than two. I desire it to be understood that my invention is not limited by the number of said doors.

The stationary plates 81 and the doors 77 serve the purpose of keeping the filling from sliding endways out of the battery. The stationary plates 81 arethe same width as the doors 77 and therefore a circular slot 80 or opening is left between the stationary plates 81 and the dividing-walls 30 to allow the ends of the filling to come through andbe fastened to some stationary point. The stationary plates 81 extend practically one half of the way around the battery. It is evident that when-a bobbin containing filling is placed in one of the spaces of the filling-feeder, said bobbin will travel counterclockwise around one of the circular dividing-walls 30 until it reaches the opening in the bottom part of said circular dividing- Man ma wall. I Then saidrbobbin on beingmovedturther will drop through said opening or open.- ings into one of the budketsw88.

The accompanying drawings show a loom having the shuttle-boxes 2 at the righta'hand end. It is to be understood that my invention is applicable to the same type of loom having the; shuttle-boxes at the left-hand end. It is evidentthat when my invention is applied to the latter mentioned kind of loom, the lingers 29 Will revolve in a clockvvisedirection. It is to be understood thatmy invention is not limited by the location of-the shuttle-boxes '2.

My invention does not relate particularly to the mechanism for shitting the shuttleboxes 2- and any well known or suitable mechanism may be employed to shift said shuttle-boxes.

The shuttles to be used avith my inven-.

tion are not a part of my invention, and they may be any of the well known variety of shuttles wherein there is arpassage through them f-rom one sideto the other in order that the-filling-carrier =or bobbin put into them at one side maybe ejected from the opposite side. i

From "the above description in connection with the accompanying drawings, the, opera,- tion of'my invention. will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art, and briefly is as follows :Whenever the substantial exhaustionof filling ona bobbin inv the operating shuttle occurs, the-feeler 60 operates in the usual Way, which operation causes the horizontal: shaft A7 to. move thereby raising the pawl 40 and: one end of the dumping lever 91, and; causes. one or the other ofnthe' ratchet-Wheels17, 18, 19 or 20to rotate, and simultaneously causes. one of the buckets 88 to dump, and causes one ofthe seriesof finof the feeler +60, raises the sliding-block '66 into position. :Then :on the next forward movement of the lay 1 the-hammers 72 descend: andwthereby transfers the, bobbin 73 containing filling of theproper color from the saddles 86' and: 37 intovthe acting shuttle. When a bobbin: is transferredirom the saddles 36 and 37 to, the acting shuttle, the practicallyempty bobbin in-the acting shuttle is automatically ejected from theacting shuttlein the usual and we'lllrnown manner.

' The shifting. of the Shuttle-boxes '2 causes the rachetawheels 17,, 1,8, 19 or 20 may be turned. 'Dhe shifting oat, the shuttle-boxes by moving lug 15 causes the pawl 40 to move sideways-and thereby select, automatically, the ratchet-Wheel Whose revolution will .deposit a new supply of filling ot' the desired color in one of the buckets 88.

Having thus described, my invention, what I claim-as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent is a i I 1. A stationary circular magazine or Ebattery for filling-carriers or bobbins having. .a series of two or more annular spaces and consistingof a stationary cylindrical cover, a series. of twowor more stationary cylindrical dividingrwalls and stationary circular flange having a central bearing therein, .concentrlic sha fts rotatable in the saidbearing, means carried by the several shafts for movingbobbins in the respective annular spaces, a plurality of doors -=to permit bobbins to be placed in said battery, and to assist in holding said; bobbins. in, position, and a plurality of stationary plates toaassist in holding said bobbins in place, substantially as shown and described.

2; :In a loom, a stationary circular magazine having @aseries of two or more concentric. annular spaces adapted respectively to receive bobbins containing filling of different colors said concentric circular spaces being separated-113mm each other by stationary cylindrical Walls -and said concentric circular spaces being adapted to. receive a plurality-of fingers. 1

.3. In a loom, the combination of a stationary cylindrical magazine having a series of two or more coaxial cylindrica sp anda plurality of fingers movable in the respective spaces, each of said spaces being adapted to receive filling of a color differing from thecolor of the filling inthe cylindrical spaceyadjacent to and coaxial with it, substantiallyas shownwandwdescribed.

4. .Iin-.a:sh i1fting shuttle-box loom the combination of a stationary cylindrical magazine having a series of two or more coaxial cylindrical spaces adapted respectively to contain bobbins carrying two or more dififerent colors, a plurality of fingers movable in the respective spaces, and means connected with theshii ting shuttle box to cause abobbin containing filling of the same color as thev bobbin in the acting shuttle to be placed inposition when the filling in the actingshnttle becomespractically exhausted.

5. Inashiftingshuttle-box loom, the combination of; a stationary cylindrical magazine having a seriesof two or more coaxial cylindrical spaces adapted respectively to contain bobbins carrying two or more different colors, and a filling-feeder revolving intermittently always in the same direction and consisting. of a plurality of fingers and the lug 15, see Fig. 1, to shift so thatenact {two or :moreiconcentric. shafts carrying h said fingers, the said fingers being adapted to engage bobbins in the respective spaces containing filling of different colors and to automatically place said bobbins into a certain desired position.

6. In a shifting shuttle-box loom, the combination of a stationary magazine having two or more concentric .circular spaces adapted to receive filling carriers and a filling feeder revolving intermittently always in the same direction within said magazine and having a plurality of fingers arranged in two or more concentric circular groups, said filling feeder being adapted to move new supplies of filling within said magazine to a certain position so that said new supplies of filling may drop from said magazine into one or the other of a plurality of horizontally reciprocating buckets.

7. In a shiftingshuttle-box loom, a fillingfeeder revolving intermittently always in the same direction within a stationary magazine and adapted to move one or the other of two or more concentric circularly arranged groups of filling-carriers differing in the characteristics of their fillings, and a stationary magazine. adapted to separate said groups and guide said filling-carriers.

8. In a loom, the combination of a stationary magazine having a plurality of concentric circular spaces adapted to receive filling carriers, of a filling feeder having a plurality of fingers revolving intermittently always in the same direction within. said stationary magazine and of two or more ratchet wheels or gears by means of which one circular. group of fingers may be rotated within said magazine to move. a supply of filling carriers while the other circular group or groups of fingers remain stationary, substantially as shown and described.

9. In a loom, a stationary magazine having a plurality of concentric circular spaces for circular groups of filling carriers, :1 filling feeder having a plurality offingers, revolving intermittently always in the same direction within said magazine, said filling feeder being adapted to receive a plurality of filling carriers containing filling of different characteristics which are arrangedin a series of two or more concentric circular grooves within said stationary magazine, and a means to actuate'one group of circularly arranged fingers while the other group or groups remain stationary, said aetuated group being moved positively by said filling feeder for a distance equal tothe distance apart of like fillings in said group within said magazine, substantially as shown and described.

10. In a loom a stationary magazine having two or more circularly arranged concentric spaces, a fillingfeeder having a plurality of fingers revolving intermittently always in the same direction within said magazine, said fingers being circularly arranged withinsaid magazine in a series of two or more concentric groups, a means to revolve one or the other of said concentric groups of fingers and a means to hold the remaining of said groups of fingers stationary while one group is moving.

11. In a'loom, a'stationary magazine having two or more circularly arranged eoncentric spaces adapted to receive and guide filling carriers, a filling feeder having a plurality of fingers revolving intermittently always in the same'direction within said magazine, said fingers being circularly arranged within said stationary magazine in a series of two or more concentric groups, combined with two or more ratchet wheels or gears and a device to contact with one and then any one of the other of said ratchet wheels and rotate said feeder for a certain distance.

12. In a loom, the combination of a stationary cylindrical magazine having a plurality of concentric circular spaces for guiding fillingcarriers in their movement, a filling feeder having a plurality of'fingers revolving intermittently always in the same direction within said magazine, two or more ratchet wheels connected to and adapted to revolve with said filling feeder, a device to contact with one and then any one of the other of said ratchet wheels and rotate said filling feeder for a certain distance, and a movable track to operate said device,'all sub stantially as shown and described.

13. In a loom, a stationary circular magazine, a filling-feeder combined with two or more ratchet-wheels or gears, a device to, rotate said ratchet-wheels, a movable track to operate said device and connections intermediate between said track and a shaft which will cause said filling-feeder to rotate a certain distance whenever the acting filling becomes substantially exhausted.

14:. In a shifting shuttle box loom, the combination of a stationary cylindrical magazine, a filling feeder and a mechanism for effecting angular movement of the said filling feeder Within the. said magazine to bring a filling carrier into acertain position, said mechanism consisting of a cam on'the loom cam shaft, an oscillating cam-follower actuated by said cam, a catch which may be placed in line or outof line with said cam-follower, a sliding member c0nnected to said catch, a guide for said sliding member, a lever fastened to a shaft which lever may be actuated by said sliding member, a shaft connected to said lever, toothed wheels connected to the said filling feeder. and a system oflinks connected to said shaft and co-operatingwith the said toothed wheels to cause the said angular movement of said filling feeder within said magazine.-

' 15. In a shifting shuttle-box loom, the combination of an intermittently rotating filling-feeder, a stationary cylindrical magazine, a feeler, means controlled by the operation of the feeler to intermittently rotate said feeder, and means controlled by the shifting shuttle-box for causing the feeder to select fillings of different colors.

16. In a shifting shuttle-box loom, the

combination of a filling-feeder having a p1uthe same direction within said magazine, a

lever in contact with one of a group of two or more ratchet wheels adapted to rotate. anyone of said groups of fingers, and a meansto move said lever from in contact with any oneof said ratchet wheels to with} in contact with any otherlof said ratchet wheels. said .mechanis'mbeing governed by the movement of the shuttle boxes.

combination of, a stationary cylindrical magazine having two or more concentric circular spaces adapted to receive and guide filling carriers, a filling feeder within said magazine, two or more toothed wheels connected with said filling feeder, a mechanism co-operating with the shifting shuttle boxes toselect any one of the said toothed wheels and to turn it while holding the other said toothed wheels in a stationary position, thereby selecting one of the .circular groups of filling carriers to be moved by said filling feeder.

19. In a shifting shuttle box loom the,

combination of a filling feeder haying a plurality of groups of fingers, a stationary magazine having a plurality of groups of concentric circular spaces within which said fingers revolve, one or more toothed Wheels connected with said filling feeder, and a mechanism cooperating with the shifting shuttle boxes and actuating said filling feeder, the said mechanism including acontacting pawl movable .into line with any one of said toothed. wheels connected to said filling feeder so that the said wheel may be turned thereby, thus moving any group of the said groups of fingers.

20. In a shifting shuttle-box loom, the combination of a stationarycylindrical magazine, a fillingfeeder comprising concentrl- .18. In a shifting shuttle box loom, the

cally'arranged groups of fingers revolving 'intern'iittently within said magazine,- and a mechanism, cooperating with said fillingfeeder and with the shifting shuttle-boxes to automatically select any one or two or more circularly arranged groups of filling carriers containing fillings of different col- M ors, and to move the said groups a circular distance equal to the distance between filling-carriers in. the group so that the desired to be transferred to the acting shuttle.

'75 kind of filling may be placedinto position I 21. In a shifting shuttle-box loom, the

combination of twoor more concentric-cy-- lindrically arranged groups of filling-can riers containing different-kinds of filling,

said groups being containedin a cylindrical filling-feeder, and a. mechanism operating in conjunction with the boX-stalf-rod to allow one. ofthe said'groupto be rotated and to hold the othersfofsaid groups stationary, said mechanism consisting of a sliding member containing a slot or opening, a guide for said sliding member constraining it to move in a straight line, an oscillatory shaft, connections between the shaft and the mem-- her for sliding the latter when the for-- mer oscillates and devices connecting said shaft to the box-staff rod so that when said box-Staff-rod moves up or down saidshaft will be made tooscillate',

'22. In a loom, the combination of a stationary cylindrical magazine adapted to receive a plurality of filling=carriers, a fillingfeeder having a plurality of fingers revolving intermittently always in the same direction within said magazine, means to automatically rotate said filling-feeder atthe desired timeand thereby place a filling-carrier into position so'that it may be transferred into the active shuttle said means being-actuated by the filling-feeder. and a means to automatically select and determine which 1 one oftwoor more kinds of filling in said filling-feeder is to be moved into position said filling-feeder. 5

23. In a loom, a filling-feeder operating within a stationary magazine, a transferring mechanism operating wholly outside of said magazine and filling feederg' means to lock and release certain parts of said to be transferred into the active shuttle by filling-feeder, a device to rotate said fillingfeeder intermittently always in the same direction, a filling changing means to effect the transfer of filling from 'a' certain position to the acting shuttle. and means under control. of the feeler and the shuttle-boxes to move a new supply of filling of the desired;

color or character into a certain position, I "24. In a shifting shuttle-box loom, the combination of an intermittently rotating filling-feedem a stationary cylindrical magazine'; a mechanism actuated by themovement ofthe shifting shuttle boxes and cooperating with said filling feeder and with said magazine soas to keep a new supply of filling of the desired color in place to be transferred into the acting shuttle; a series of buckets having hinged bottoms and adapted to hold bobbins or filling-carriers; and a mechanism actuated by the'fillingdetector device, to automatically cause one of the said hinged bottoms to open downward and thereby dump or drop a. new supply of filling ofthe desired colorinto position to be transferred into the acting shuttle.

25. In a loom, the combination of a fillingfeeder and two or more reciprocating buckets working in conjunction with said fillingfeeder and ada'pted'to receive filling-carriers from said filling-feeder, said buckets adapted to maintain a filling-carrier carryingthe same type of filling as the acting shuttle in a position to betranst'erred into the act ing shuttle, and said buckets having hinged bottoms that'may be opened downwardly, substantially as shown and described.

26,-In a loom, a mechanismconsisting of a dumping-lever which may be used to dump a new supply of filling into position to be transferred intothe acting shuttle, of a part to move said dumping-lever, of a spring to hold said part normally in line with the dumping-lever, of a stationarycam which will move said part out of line with the dumping-lever, of a support for said part and of a means to operate said part in conjunction with the feeler.

27. Ina shifting shuttle-box loom, the combination of a circular magazine containing a supply of filling-carriers, a mechanism actuated by the movement of the shifting shuttle-boxes and including a series of containers, said mechanism being adapted to receive filling-carriers from the said circular magazine, and a second mechanism (to-operating with the fillingfeeler or filling detecting device and serving to dump a new supply of filling of the desired characterintoposition to be transferred into the acting'shuttle of the loom. v i

' 28. In a shifting shuttle box loom, a stationary magazine adapted to receive a supply of bobbins the combination of a series of horizontally reciprocating buckets corresponding in number to theshuttle boxes and being adapted to receive bobbins carrying different kinds of tillings from said magazine and being adapted to maintain a bobbin containing the desired kind of filling in a certain position adjacent to the acting shuttle, mechanism selectively adjustable in accordance with the position of the shuttle boxes and adapted to release bobbins from anyone of the bucket-s so that said bobbins may drop by gravity into a certain position.

and means controlled by thefeeler device of i the loom for actuating thesaid releasing mechanism to drop bobbin to the said cer- .tain position from the said reciprocating buckets.

29. In a shifting shuttlebox loom, 'th'e combinationof a series of concentric annular bobbin magazines corresponding in number to the shuttle boxes and adapted for bobbins carrying different kinds of fillings, the said magazines being all adapted to deliver bobbins directly to a common position ad aCent the acting-shuttle of the loom, IHGCllflIllSlTlx' selectively adjustable in accordance with the a series of concentric annular zines and adapted forfeeding bobbins from any one of the magazines to the said common position, and means controlled by the feeler device of the loom for actuating the said ously selected magazine.- I

30. In a shifting shuttle-box loom, the combination of a series of buckets corresponding in number to theshuttle-boxes,

means connected with the shuttle-boxes for shifting the buckets to bring any one of them into position to discharge-a bobbin into the acting shuttle, a series, of magazines adapted' for bobbins carrying different kinds offillings and all arranged to deliver bobbins into the bucket which is in the said discharge and means controlled by the feeler device of the loom for transferring a bobbin from the said bucket in discharge position to the actfeeding mechanism to feed a bobbin to the said common position from the stud previ-v ing shuttle and for actuating the feeding device operating mechanism to feed to the said bucket a bobbinof the same-kind of filling as that transferred.

31. In a shifting shuttlebox loom, the combination of a series of buckets corresponding 'in' number to the shuttle-boxes, means connected with the shuttle-boxes for shiftin'g'the buckets to bring any one of them into position to discharge a bobbin' into the acting shuttle, a series of concentric annular magazines adapted for bobbins carrying different kinds of fillings and all ar ranged to deliver bobbins into the bucket which is in the said discharge position, a

series of concentric annular groups of feeding fingers movable in the respective magazines, mechanism adapted to operate any one of the said groups of fingers independ-- ently of the others, thesaid mechanism being movable intoposition to operate the feeding fingers corresponding to the bucket which is in dlscharge posltion as aforesaid, and means controlled by the feeler device of the 100111 for transferring a bobbin from the said bucket in discharge position to the acting shuttle and for actuating the feeding device operating mechanism torfeed to the said bucket a bobbin of the same kind of filling as that transferred.

32. In a loom, astationary circular magazine having a series of tWo or more concentric annular spaces adapted to hold bobbins so that they may be supplied to the acting shuttle when needed and a plurality of movable fingers adapted to rotate intermittently always in the same direction Within said concentric spaces.

E. BLACKSTON. 

